Insider Trends invited Missouri Creative to write a thought piece on what would be the focus of retail design in 2025, and here is what we’ve shared with them:

‘Despite the on-going hype around new technologies promising to revolutionise all aspects of our lives, we believe shoppers will always want to touch, taste, see and feel products and that bricks-and-mortar stores will continue to be one of the most visceral ways for brands to engage with their customers in the future.

Image by Made.com

However, as e-tailers strive to match the benefits offered by physical stores (replicating the ‘must-have’ moment with services like 1hour delivery), branded retail environments will look to ‘leisure-ise’ shopping and evolve into spaces where brands immerse their audience in a curated and increasingly personalised experiences that drives serendipitous shopping behaviour – nudging visitors into ‘discovery mode’.

Physical stores may not always be the conversion point but will still play a key role in creating emotional motivation. Ever had to endure a one hour conversation with a call centre employee whilst trying to return unwanted goods or have an informed dialogue with a bot? Compare this to the tactile experience of the best stores and the added value of brilliant empathetic staff.

Image by Samsung

Yet, as mobile devices and wearable technology become increasingly important and omni-present in everyday human behaviour (from health and well being to peer-to-peer endorsements) the physical products in-store will take on a more significant role in triggering purchase. As smart packaging becomes the norm we will see that the medium will carry the message; creating a direct and personalised dialogue.

But the fundamental need to congregate, assimilate, trade and share will still be what defines us as humans – from our earliest ancestors to the people shopping in the brand cathedrals of 2025.’

To read the full article about retail design in 2025, visit http://www.insider-trends.com/the-future-of-retail-design-expert-roundup/